Wet canvas carrier

ABSTRACT

The wet canvas carrier is formed from two die-cut blanks of corrugated cardboard. The first die-cut blank folds into an outer box having a bottom formed from interlocking flaps, a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of opposing end walls, a handle formed from interlocking flaps, and an interior cavity defined by the inner surface of the first folded die-cut blank. The second die-cut blank folds into a U-shaped separating insert having a bottom wall and a pair of end walls having spaced longitudinal slots formed within the opposing inner faces of the end walls of the insert. The folded insert is received within the interior cavity between the opposing end walls of the outer box. Pairs of slots are sized to receive the edges of a stretched canvas or the edges of two back-to-back canvas panels therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to carriers for storing stretched canvases and canvas panels, that prevents wet painted canvases and panels held within the carrier from contacting each other or otherwise being damaged or harmed during transport.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Numerous carriers have been devised to enable artist and art students whom paint outdoors to protect their wet canvases and panels from damage when being moved from one location to another. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,648,933 issued Aug. 18, 1953 to I.Brooks et al., teaches an artist's box for carrying supplies. The box includes a cover having side walls with spaced slots extending longitudinally along the inner faces of the walls for receiving and holding an artists canvases. U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,869 issued Sep. 18, 1984 to Hasenfus teaches a wet canvas-carrying case for carrying variously sized canvases or panels. The canvases are secured in place by a unique holding arrangement, including adjustably positioned u-shaped holder blocks, which are horizontally slideable on tracks, secured to the end walls of the case. Each holder block includes a finger that engages the top of a canvas or panel to eliminate movement in an upward direction. In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,806 issued Aug. 13, 1996 to Anderson et al., a box formed from a unitary blank for carrying and protecting a single painting is taught. The box includes a primary panel, side and end panels connected to the primary panel and disposed orthogonal with respect to the primary panel. The panels lock together to define a box interior for holding a painting. Pairs of engagement members are located at the corners of the box to project into the box interior and maintain the painting spaced from the primary panel.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,465 B1 issued Feb. 6, 2001 to Ricci teaches a two-piece cooler assembly formed from two cardboard blanks. The first blank folds into an outer shell piece having a bottom portion, a pair of opposing side portions, a pair of opposing end portions, a carrying portion and a cavity portion defined by the inner surface of the first blank. The second blank includes a water resistant coating and is folded into an insert piece having a bottom portion, a pair of opposing side portions, a pair of opposing end portions and a cavity portion defined by the coated inner surface of the second blank. The cavity of the second blank may be filled with ice to cool beverages placed therein.

[0006] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a wet canvas/panel carrier solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The wet canvas carrier is provided in the form of a carrier for holding and transporting stretched canvases and/or canvas panels. The carrier is formed from two die-cut blanks of corrugated cardboard or other corrugated materials (e.g., plastics). The first die-cut blank folds into an outer box having a bottom formed from interlocking flaps, a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of opposing end walls, a handle formed from interlocking flaps and an interior cavity defined by the inner surface of the folded first die-cut blank. The second die-cut blank folds into a U-shaped separating insert including a bottom wall and a pair of end walls having spaced longitudinal slots. The slots in this blank form channels or grooves with the opposing inner faces of the end walls of the insert. The folded insert is received within the interior cavity between the opposing end walls of the outer box. The end and bottom walls of the insert are mounted flush with the corresponding end and bottom walls of the outer box. Each groove is sized to receive one edge of a stretched canvas or the edges of two back-to-back canvas panels therein. The handle is designed to be conveniently folded flat to form a top to the outer box for shipping or folded into an upright and locked position for grasping with a hand for carrying the carrier with contents therein (wet or dry) from one location to another.

[0008] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a carrier for storing stretched canvases and canvas panels that prevents the wet painted canvases and panels held therein from contacting each other or otherwise being damaged or harmed during transport.

[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a lightweight carrier for carrying wet painted canvases or painted canvas panels that is formed from two die-cut pieces of corrugated cardboard or other similar corrugated material.

[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide a carrier in the form of an outer box having an integral handle that may be folded down for shipping and/or folded up for grasping by a hand.

[0011] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0012] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a wet canvas carrier according to the present invention with canvases therein.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a top view of a precut blank for use in forming the outer box of the wet canvas carrier according to the present invention.

[0015]FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are sequential, perspective views of the steps used in forming the bottom of the wet canvas carrier according to the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a top view of a precut blank for use in forming the separating insert of the wet canvas carrier according to the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the step of inserting the separating insert into the outer box of the wet canvas carrier according to the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a front view of the top of the wet canvas carrier in the folded-down shipping position according to the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the wet canvas carrier with the top open for receiving wet canvases according to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the wet canvas carrier with the top in the folded up position forming a handle for carrying by hand according to the present invention.

[0021] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] The present invention is a wet canvas carrier in the form of a box with a convertible top for holding and transporting stretched canvases and/or canvas panels. In FIG. 1, the outer box 60 is shown with the top open, revealing canvas panels 95 mounted within “grooves” or channels 55,56 inside the carrier, formed or defined by slots through the insert and the inside surface of walls within the carrier, all in a manner described in detail below.

[0023] The carrier is formed from two die-cut blanks of corrugated cardboard, plastic or other suitable material. The first die-cut blank folds into outer box 60. The outer box 60 includes a bottom formed from interlocking flaps 74-77, a pair of opposing side walls 71, 73, a pair of opposing end walls 70, 72, a handle formed from interlocking top flaps 80-83, and an interior cavity 40 defined by the inner surface of the first folded die-cut blank.

[0024] As best seen in FIG. 2, the first die-cut blank 60 is formed from a lightweight cardboard, plastic or other suitable material, and is scored to provide horizontal fold lines 61-64 and vertical fold lines 65-68. Arrow 100 shows a preferred direction of corrugation of the cardboard. These fold lines divide the first blank 60 into a glue flap 69, an end panel 70, side panel 71, end panel 72, side panel 73, bottom flaps 74-77 and top flaps 80-84.

[0025] Bottom flap 75 includes a cut out 78 which forms a slot when covered with bottom flaps 74 and 76 for receiving interlocking tab 79 formed on bottom flap 77. Bottom flaps 74-77 form an interlocked bottom when the bottom of the outer box is folded according to the steps shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C.

[0026] Fold lines 67 and 68 provide top flaps 82 and 83 with mating handle portions 86, 87 formed by cutout 88 and partial cutout 89. Handle portions 86, 87 are provided with notches 91 which form tabs at each end of each handle portion for interlocking receipt in slots 84 and 85 of top flaps 80 and 81, respectively. When the mating handle portions 86, 87 are mounted flush together, flaps 82 and 83 close the top opening of the outer box 60. The partial cutout 89 is passed through cutout 88 to lock the two handle portions 86, 87 together and provide comfort for the hand gripping the handle. Top flaps 80, 81 are thereafter folded so that the tabs interlock with slots 84, 85 to lock the handle in position for carrying the carrier as shown in FIG. 7B. The handle is used for grasping and carrying the carrier with contents therein (wet or dry) from one location to another.

[0027] The second die-cut blank folds into a U-shaped separating inner box or insert 50 including a bottom wall 59 and a pair of end walls 42,43 having spaced longitudinal slots 55, 56, respectively, formed in the opposing inner faces of the end walls 42, 43 of the insert 50. The second blank is formed from an elongated piece of double-wall corrugated cardboard, for example; other suitable material may be substituted. The blank is scored to provide fold lines 53, 53 so that the end walls 42, 43 can be folded 90 degrees into an upright position as best seen in FIG. 5. The ends of the elongated piece are double scored to form flaps 57 and 58 which are folded 180 degrees to provide additional strength to the insert 50.

[0028] The inner faces of the end walls 42,43 of the insert 50 are provided with spaced longitudinal slots 55 and 56, respectively extending transverse to the direction of corrugation pointed out by arrow 100. Each slot is sized to receive an edge of a stretched canvas or the edges of two back-to-back canvas panels therein. With further reference to FIGS. 5, 1, and 7A, it will be appreciated that the several slots 55, 56 form channels or grooves with the interior faces of the two end panels 70, 72 (FIG. 2), when the insert is placed within the outer box 60. Thus, any canvas placed within the invention is held rather securely in place as intended. Of course, it should also be noted that the width of the slots 55 and 56 as shown may be varied to suit the dimensions of the canvas or canvases that are to be carried.

[0029] The folded insert 50 is received within the interior cavity of the folded outer box 60 between the opposing end walls of the outer box 60 as is shown in FIG. 7A. The end and bottom walls of the insert are mounted flush with corresponding end and bottom walls of the outer box 60.

[0030] The outer box 60 is conveniently designed with flaps that may be folded down and secured to form a flat top to the outer box 60 for shipping or folded up into an upright and locked position forming both a flat top to the outer box 60 and a handle as shown in FIG. 7B.

[0031] The carrier constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention may be sized to hold either four stretched canvases or eight back-to-back canvas panels of any selected standard or custom size. Other sizes and capacities are possible, of course.

[0032] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A wet canvas carrier, comprising: an outer box defining an interior cavity, said box including a bottom formed from four interlocking bottom flaps, a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of opposing end walls, and a top with handle formed from four interlocking top flaps; and an inner box in the form of a U-shaped canvas separating insert including a bottom wall and a pair of end walls having spaced longitudinal slots therein, said slots being sized for receiving the edges of a stretched canvas, canvas panel or plural canvases or panels therein; wherein said insert is received within said interior cavity between the opposing end walls of said outer box such that said end and bottom walls of said insert mount flush with corresponding end and bottom walls of said outer box.
 2. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 1, wherein said outer box is formed of corrugated material and said insert is formed of double wall corrugated material.
 3. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 2, wherein said interlocking bottom flaps include a first interlocking bottom flap having a cutout and a second opposing interlocking bottom flap having a tab.
 4. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 3, wherein said top with handle includes: a first opposing pair of top flaps, each flap having a fold line dividing the flap into a top portion and mating handle portion, said handle portions having tabs formed by notches adjacent each end and a centrally located hand hole; and a second opposing pair of top flaps, each flap having an elongated slot formed therein for receiving the tabs and engaging said notches on said handle portions.
 5. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 4, wherein said slots are formed transverse to the direction of corrugation of said inner box.
 6. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 5, wherein said outer box and said inner box are formed from blanks.
 7. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 1, wherein said outer box is formed of corrugated cardboard and said insert is formed of double wall corrugated cardboard.
 8. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 7, wherein said interlocking bottom flaps include a first interlocking bottom flap having a cutout and a second opposing interlocking bottom flap having a tab.
 9. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 8, wherein said top with handle includes: a first opposing pair of top flaps, each flap having a fold line dividing the flap into a tops portion and mating handle portions, said handle portions having tabs formed by notches adjacent each end and a centrally located hand hole; and a second opposing pair of top flaps, each flap having an elongated slot formed therein for receiving the tabs and engaging the notches on said handle portions.
 10. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 9, wherein said slots are formed transverse to the direction of corrugation of said inner box.
 11. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 10, wherein said outer box and said inner box are formed from blanks.
 12. A wet canvas carrier, comprising: a first corrugated cardboard blank scored to produce a plurality of fold lines thereon such that the blank may be folded into an outer box defining an interior cavity, said box including a bottom formed from four interlocking bottom flaps, a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of opposing end walls, and a top with handle formed from four interlocking top flaps; and a second double wall corrugated cardboard blank scored to produce fold lines allowing the blank to be formed into an inner box in the form of a U-shaped canvas separating insert including a bottom wall, and a pair of end walls having spaced longitudinal slots therein, said slots being sized for receiving the edges of a stretched canvas, canvas panel or plural canvases or panels therein; whereby when said insert is placed into said interior cavity between said opposing end walls of said outer box, said end and bottom walls of said insert mount flush with corresponding end and bottom walls of said outer box.
 13. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 12, wherein said interlocking bottom flaps include a first interlocking bottom flap having a cutout and a second opposing interlocking bottom flap having a tab.
 14. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 13, wherein said top with handle includes: a first opposing pair of top flaps, each flap having a fold line dividing the flap into a top portion and mating handle portion, said handle portions having tabs formed by notches adjacent each end and a centrally located hand hole; and a second opposing pair of top flaps, each flap having an elongated slot formed therein for receiving the tabs and engaging said notches on said handle portions.
 15. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 14, wherein said grooves are formed transverse to the direction of corrugation of said inner box.
 16. A wet canvas carrier, comprising: a first corrugated material blank scored to produce a plurality of fold lines thereon such that the blank may be folded into an outer box defining an interior cavity, said box including a bottom formed from four interlocking bottom flaps, a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of opposing end walls, and a top with handle formed from four interlocking top flaps; and a second double wall corrugated material blank scored to produce fold lines allowing said blank to be formed into an inner box in the form of a U-shaped canvas separating insert including a bottom wall and a pair of end walls having spaced longitudinal slots therein, said slots being sized for receiving the edges of a stretched canvas, canvas panel, or plural canvases or panels therein; whereby when said insert is placed into said interior cavity between said opposing end walls of said outer box, said end and bottom walls of said insert mount flush with corresponding end and bottom walls of said outer box.
 17. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 16, wherein said interlocking bottom flaps include a first interlocking bottom flap having a cutout and a second opposing interlocking bottom flap having a tab.
 18. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 17, wherein said top with handle includes: a first opposing pair of top flaps, each flap having a fold line dividing the flap into a top portion and mating handle portion, said handle portions having tabs formed by notches adjacent each end and a centrally located hand hole; and a second opposing pair of top flaps, each flap having an elongated slot formed therein for receiving said tabs and engaging said notches on said handle portions.
 19. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 18, wherein said grooves are formed transverse to the direction of corrugation of said inner box.
 20. The wet canvas carrier according to claim 16, wherein said slots are sized to receive the edges of two back-to-back canvas panels therein. 